tabla

Pair of drums used in North Indian (Hindustani) music both for accompaniment (to vocal, instrumental, and dance performance) and as a solo instrument. The smaller drum, played with the right hand, is barrel-shaped and made of wood. It is tuned to the Sa (system tonic). The larger drum, player with the left hand, is kettle-shaped and made of metal or clay. It is lower in pitch but not precisely tuned. The player produces different tones by striking the drum heads in a variety of ways with the fingers; the various strokes are known by mnemonic syllables called bols.